2012 Kia Rio

Sedan · 2010–2023 · Rio, Rio 5-Door

2012–2017 Kia Rio — 2012–2017 pictured. Photo: Navigator84, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2023The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad Be careful2015More problems; check the recalls were done

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual Extended coverage

49 serious complaints of 54, the most about engine (24) and air bags (12); per car on the road, 0.9× this model's usual year. 1 recall. NHTSA investigation EA21003: engine fires.

What owners report

“The contact owned a 2012 kia rio. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, when depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate over 25 mph. The contact stated the vehicle began to hesitate and made an abnormal noise. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2020

“I can not believe I took this much time to actual file a complaint on the following problems on my kia. My 2012 kia rio sx hatchback has been burning oil since it reached the 70,000 mile mark. I have all receipts and records for every oil change since I bought the car new back in late 2011.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, May 2020

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO DEALER PRINCIPALS - This document is notice to the dealer principals of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly on 2012-2013 MY Rio and 2014-2015 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, starting… (WTY017, Oct 2020)
Extended coverage TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT FOR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON Ã¢ÂÂ DTC B1346/B1481 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the driverÃ¢ÂÂs airbag clock spring assembly on some 2012-2013MY Rio (UB) and 2014-2015MY Forte/Koup (YD) associated with the… (TSB ELE218, Dec 2020)
Repair program VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventive measure, to apply anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2017-2018 MY Forte vehicles… (SC264, May 2023)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

54 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 31–32 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features

Every Rio year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Rio Rio 5-Door

What changed for 2012

Starting prices: −$1,595 to +$1,405 (2 trims; hover for each)
New trim: EX
Trim dropped: Base
Engine: 1.6L DOHC 16V CVVT → 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (SX, LX)
Horsepower: 110 hp → 138 hp (SX, LX)
Torque: 107 lb-ft → 123 lb-ft (SX, LX)
Gears: 4 → 6 (SX, LX)
Trunk: 11.9 cu ft → 13.7 cu ft (SX, LX)
Ground clearance: 6.1 in → 5.5 in (SX, LX)
Length: 167.3 in → 171.9 in (SX, LX)
Curb weight: 2,403 lb → 2,480 lb (SX, LX)
Speakers: 4 → 6 (SX)
Wheels: 16 in → 17 in (SX)
Wheels: 14 in → 15 in (LX)

2012 Rio trims

	EX	LX	SX
Price
Starting MSRP	$16,300	from $13,400	$17,500
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection	1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection	1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection
Horsepower	138 hp	138 hp	138 hp
Torque	123 lb-ft	123 lb-ft	123 lb-ft
Transmission	Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive	6-Speed Automatic: Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive 6-Speed Manual: 6-speed manual transmission	Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive
Gears	6	6	6
Drivetrain	—	6-Speed Automatic / 6-Speed Manual	—
Size and capability
Seats	5	5	5
Trunk	13.7 cu ft	13.7 cu ft	13.7 cu ft
Ground clearance	5.5 in	5.5 in	5.5 in
Length	171.9 in	171.9 in	171.9 in
Curb weight	2,480 lb	6-Speed Automatic: 2,480 lb 6-Speed Manual: 2,410 lb	2,480 lb
Tech
Touchscreen	Optional	—	4.3 in
Apple CarPlay	—	—	Optional
Android Auto	—	—	Optional
Speakers	6	4	6
Comfort
Seats	Cloth	Cloth	Cloth + option
Heated seats	—	—	Optional
Exterior
Sunroof	—	—	Optional
Wheels	15 in + option	15 in	17 in

Packages and options (22)

	EX	LX	SX
EX Convenience Package $1,000	Optional	—	—
LX Power Package	—	Optional	—
SX Premium Package	—	—	Optional
Rear Bumper Appliqué $70	Optional	Optional	Optional
Wheel Locks $50	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cargo Net $50	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cargo Tray $80	Optional	Optional	Optional
Carpeted Floor Mats $95	Optional	Optional	Optional
Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror with Compass and HomeLink $295	Optional	Optional	Optional
Aurora Black	Optional	Optional	Optional
Bright Silver	Optional	Optional	Optional
Chestnut	Optional	—	—
Clear White	Optional	Optional	Optional
Midnight Sapphire	Optional	—	Optional
Platinum Graphite	Optional	—	—
Signal Red	Optional	Optional	Optional
Silverstone Beige	Optional	—	—
Beige Cloth	—	Optional	—
Beige Premium Cloth	Optional	—	—
Black Cloth	—	Optional	—
Black Leather	—	—	Optional
Black Premium Cloth	Optional	—	Optional

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Recalls	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2023	1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	0	12	Unknown or other (5)	Yes
2022	1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	1	11	Unknown or other (3)	Yes
2021	1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	2	15	Unknown or other (6)	Yes
2020	1.6L 4-cyl, 113–130 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	1	27	Unknown or other (8)	Yes
2019	1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available	FWD	32 mpg	Not rated	1	21	Unknown or other (8)	Yes
2018	1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available	FWD	32 mpg	Not rated	1	28	Engine (15)	Yes
2017	1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	2	31	Engine (11)	No
2016	1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	2	77	Engine (38)	No
2015	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	1	52	Engine (23)	No
2014	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	1	52	Engine (24)	No
2013	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	31–32 mpg	4 of 5	1	153	Engine (53)	No
2012	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	31–32 mpg	4 of 5	1	54	Engine (24)	No
2011	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30 mpg	Not rated	0	24	Engine (7)	No
2010	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	Not rated	0	26	Air bags (12)	No

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless Android Auto Apple CarPlay (wired or wireless)Lane centering Heated front seats Leather seats Sunroof or moonroof

Apple lists CarPlay for: Rio 2018–2023 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2023	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	0	12
2023	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	0	12
2022	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	Standard	1	11
2022	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	Standard	1	11
2021	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	15
2021	Kia Rio 5 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	15
2020	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	27
2020	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	27
2019	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	0	0
2019	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	21
2018	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	1	28
2018	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	0	1
2017	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	2	31
2017	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	2	31
2016	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	2	77
2016	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	2	77
2015	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2015	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2014	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2014	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2013	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	153
2013	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	153
2012	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	54
2012	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	54
2011	Kia Rio SW FWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	24
2011	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	24
2010	Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	0	26
2010	Kia Rio 5-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	0	26

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2023	Rio	Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2022	Rio	Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2021	Rio	Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2020	Rio	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2019	Rio	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	32
2018	Rio	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	32
2017	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30–31
2017	Rio Eco	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2016	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30–31
2016	Rio Eco	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2015	Rio	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30
2015	Rio Eco	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2014	Rio	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30
2014	Rio Eco	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2013	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31–32
2013	Rio Eco	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	32
2012	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31–32
2011	Rio	Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30
2010	Rio	Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30–31

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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